PEORIA — On January 22, 1973, a 7-2 majority of the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision on a case that would become one of the most famous, and infamous, decisions in the court's history: Roe v. Wade.

While the opinions are still strong on abortion like they were back then, both sides of the issue have found more amicable ways to showcase their opinions in Peoria Wednesday afternoon, 41 years to the day of the Supreme Court's decision.

Kay Grilliot of Tazewell Country Right to Life was part of an anti-abortion group that delivered baby food to facilities that help take care of mothers and their babies. Rosalie Howell of Peorians for Reproductive Health Care was part of a rally in front of the Peoria County Courthouse where citizens wielded positive and gracious abortion rights signs.

"We just started up in September of last year," Howell said of her organization. In a thick coat, hat and gloves, she and others held signs outside the courthouse in the frigid winter air. Despite the bitter cold, she and her fellow activists were happy to be out with their signs. "It's nice to have a positive face to this. I'm proud to be in a country with reproductive rights. I'm proud to be standing with these awesome people right now."

Their signs were dedicated to saying thanks to the Supreme Court and the country, showing support for women's right to choose and to get drivers to honk if they approve. There were no words of hate on their signs, and that was purposeful.

"I'm from the South, so I'm used to all the anti-choice stuff that happens down there," Howell said. "The city needed something like this, something positive and not hateful."

While Grilliot obviously wouldn't support their message, she would approve of the positive tone they were using. Grilliot was doing something similar. While still getting the anti-abortion message out, she was trying to bring some positivity to the city.

"We have $7,000 worth of baby food we are dropping off today," Grilliot said in the lobby of the Neighborhood House. The facility was just one of three destinations where she and a bus load of Washington seventh graders from St. Patrick's Catholic School were dropping off baby food. "Back in the 1970s, people would just give roses to their congressmen to mark the anniversary. We wanted to do something more concrete and positive for the community."

Still, both events have their goals to spread their message on a very politicized issue. "That's part of our purpose, to promote the issue," Grilliot said. "It's certainly a divisive issue still." But voicing their opinions on an issue that's as dicey and as fervently discussed as it was 41 years ago is something both sides cherish.

"No one should ever stop protecting their rights and voicing their opinions," Howell said.

Page 2 of 2 - Zach Berg can be reached at zberg@pjstar.com or 686-3257. Follow him on Twitter @ZacharyBerg.